http://travel-to-ecuador.blogspot.com/2011/10/famous-places-in-ecuador-for-your.html
Famous Places in Ecuador For Your Holiday
Travel tips for your trip to Ecuador Hotel Maps Famous Places in Ecuador helps you to make your trip to Ecuador in the holiday a Splendid One
Ecuador is famous for its offshore Galapagos Islands. These are a must see, but Ecuador also has many exciting and interesting places to explore during an Ecuador vacation. Here are the top 4 places a visitor to Ecuador on a Latin American travel adventure must see.
1. Baños. Baños is a mini tropical paradise, full of waterfalls and outdoor adventure opportunities. Baños sits between the Rio Pastaza and several volcanoes, a truly beautiful location. The small town feel of the city is almost as charming as its surroundings and the city is full with nice bars, restaurants, and shopping opportunities. One of the most popular things to do in Baños is simply to visit all of the nearby waterfalls. There are over 60 of them! The Manto de la Virgen waterfall is close in town, toward the southeast section, and a good first waterfall to visit. There is even a "Route of the Waterfalls" that you can follow that will take you through green mountain peaks and past at least 20 waterfalls. When you tire of that, you can relax in some of the area's thermals baths.
2. Cuenca. Cuenca is Ecuador's colonial treasure and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 by UNESCO. The city is full of charming cobblestone streets and whitewashed buildings, making a simple stroll around town a pleasing activity. The town was originally an Inca town called Tomebamba, but refounded by the Spaniards in 1557. Cuenca has been called the "Athens of Ecuador" both for its classic beauty and for its history of housing philosophers, artists, and writers.
3. The Galapagos. No trip to Ecuador is complete without a visit to the famous Galapagos Islands. Visiting this location takes more planning and is more expensive than other Ecuador locations, but it is worth it if you are an animal lover. On the Galapagos you can walk side-by-side with massive wild animals that have little to no fear of humans. Tortoises, iguanas, and sea lions are just a few of the creatures you're sure to get a fabulous photo with. These islands are also home to unique bird species, such as the blue-footed boobie.
4. Guayaquil. Guayaquil is located on the southern coast of Ecuador and is often the launching point for Galapagos expeditions. The city is bustling with shops, companies, and visitors, a typical busy port town. The climate here is tropical, hot, and steamy. The town has a very lively nightlife and a lovely malecon for visitors to stroll along.
